Heel pad insert and a method of using the same

ABSTRACT

A heel pad made of a viscoelastic polymer that absorbs shocks and prevents impact related injuries through a low, truncated profile that enables a user to continue to use the original insole. The viscoelastic polymer provides adhesive properties that adheres a rear portion of the original insole to the inside of the shoe, while the leading edge is adjacent between the calcaneus or the heel bone and the tuberosity of the fifth metatarsals during use.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/927,386, filed 29 Oct. 2019, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to footwear accessories and, more particularly, a heel pad with viscoelastic polymeric gel adapted to reduce foot strike shock during athletic endeavors and a method of using the same.

There are more than 5 billion people who partake in athletic endeavors. Unfortunately, injuries can occur when playing sports through the abrupt movements and sudden stops, which demands that the foot forcibly and repeatedly hits the ground. The problem is compounded at the higher the levels of competition as the rate and the force of the sudden movements, sudden changes of direction, and abrupt stops are increased. Sports that have sudden and quick changes of direction, such as tennis, badminton, basketball, soccer, football, rugby, ice hockey, figure skating, and others, have all these issues. As the athlete makes abrupt movements and stops, the impact of the foot on the supporting surface can cause pain to the athlete and undermine performance.

Current solutions for the problem are unsatisfactory. First, most solutions require a replacement of the entire original insole of the shoe. Replacing the original insole—for the entire length of the inside of a shoe—can be difficult to do properly because a proper fit is different with every difference in shoe size or shape. Therefore, the replacement insole needs to be trimmed by the user, which can lead to imperfections and if the user is not careful with cutting the insole to their size, they can cut too much which would make the insole very uncomfortable or unusable. To be clear, even if the shoe size is the same, the width may not be and so the replacement insole can be uncomfortable.

Moreover, the replacement insoles can feel very awkward in the shoe since it was not made for that specific shoe, which may be tailored for a specific sport for that specific user, whereby the user's foot may feel too elevated or too tightly stuffed in the shoes because there is less space for the feet and the toes. Additionally, the height of the replacement insole can promote ankles injuries, such as sprained ankles, making it very dangerous for sports demanding lateral moving sports and change of directions.

Second, the heel portions of many of the replacement insole insert currently on the market are very thick, and this thickness makes the body weight shift forward on the ball of the feet. This can cause the body's overall balance to be thrown off and cause pain in the legs and/or the users back. Moreover, thick heel portions can promote heel strike, which can cause plantar fasciitis and other leg problems.

Third, current insole inserts do not take the users feel into account. The mid-foot sole that is three quarters of the full insoles can be felt on the feet and make it feel uncomfortable if the user moves abruptly or changes direction quickly. Furthermore, when the edge of the insoles can be felt and rubs on the feet, it can cause blisters and pain.

Fourth, the current insole inserts can move inside the shoes due to the sudden movements of the users, whereby it can throw the wearer off balance, put them in an awkward position and/or cause pain in the body. It, of course, would be impractical while playing a sport to reposition an awkward-feeling insole insert.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved and comfortable shock absorbing insole insert to meet the demands of athletes or anyone engaging in an athletic endeavor. The present invention embodies viscoelastic polymeric gel formed apparatus adapted to fit between the shoe's base and the insole of the shoe. In particular, the shock absorbing material may be a viscoelastic polymeric gel or pad so as to mimic the elasticity of a human flesh. The shock absorbing material may absorb greater than about 94 percent, for example 94.7 percent, of impact shock. The shock absorbing material is shaped to have a low profile, mimicking the thickness of a cartilage on the patella and so adapted to absorb shock in conjunction with the natural shock absorbing properties of the human body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the aforementioned deficiencies through a shock-absorbing heel pad dimensioned to advantageously conform to a limited portion of a shoe's insole, and thereby adapted to be usable for all different types of athletic shoes and sizes. Professional and recreational athletes that move laterally and with sudden changes of direction put a lot of force on their feet. In these sports, players are very sensitive to changes in their equipment and how they feel when they are moving about. Because of the viscoelastic polymeric properties of the heel pad, the shock can be reduced without making the heel pads unnecessarily thick.

Most current solutions require removal and replacement of the insole of the shoe with a full length insert. As mentioned above, these replacement insole inserts can be cumbersome and uncomfortable because each shoe may have a different size and shape; therefore, not ideal for fast moving sports because of the height and softness of the material which can cause imperfect weight distribution and instability of the body causing pain in other parts of the body. Not only that, but the thickness of the heel pads can be felt by the user on the mid-foot and can be uncomfortable because of the foreign sensation caused by the heel pad. Also, thick heel pads promote heel strike, thereby causing even more pain to users who have heel strike related symptoms. And heel strike can lead to plantar fasciitis and other knee problems.

Other insoles that have soft material on the ball of the foot can reduce the reaction time of the user because the thickness of the material and the related compression that happens with the user pushing their body weight against the ball of the foot slows the athlete's performance. The present invention absorbs shock generally on the heel and the rear of the feet, avoiding slowing down the reaction time of the user.

The present invention may be a thin layer of semioval-shaped viscoelastic polymeric material, such as Sorbothane™, which absorbs shock efficiently to aid the natural shock absorbing properties of the human body. The layer is thin enough and soft enough to prevent the user from feeling the edge of the shock absorbing layer on the mid-foot. The user may not feel the apparatus because the viscoelastic polymeric material is shaped to fit in between the calcaneus or the heel bone and the tuberosity of the fifth metatarsals. Because the pressure of body weight is not felt directly in between those bones the user will not be able to feel the heel pad. When the user is resting or standing on the feet, the heel pad should be compressed enough so that the user's weight does not shift forward on the ball of their feet. When moving abruptly and quickly, the heel pad provides shock absorption yet returning to its original shape while the user is taking their next step. Also, the natural stickiness of the material on both top and bottom allows the apparatus prevents dislodgement. The apparatus can be washed with water to return its stickiness and be reused on other shoes.

The shock absorbing material of the heel pad can be of different durometers, meaning the viscoelastic polymeric material can be made to different softness according to the user's needs.

The length and width of the heel pad can be different to accommodate different sizes and shapes of feet and shoes.

The use of the invention is not limited to sports or athletic activity but is beneficial in casual wear and light activity use.

One of the sides of the apparatus may have hemispherical bumps that allow for soft deformation under load. The thickness of the material can be from 0.06 inches to 0.1 inches depending on the needs of the user.

The present invention device is unique over the prior art because the present invention provides: (1) that the original insole need not be removed; (2) a thin but superior shock absorbing material; (3) a leading edge adapted so as not to be felt; (4) ease of use and reusability; (5) low profile adapted to keep the user's center of gravity lower, providing stability; and (6) adhesion to the inside the shoe during use.

The present invention is unique in that it is structurally different from other known devices or solutions. More specifically, the present invention is unique due to the combination of: (1) unaltered viscoelastic polymeric material; (2) front and back being the same size; (3) interchangeable left and right pads; (4) stickiness of the material; (5) a plasticity sufficient to absorb impact yet quickly return to its original state; and (6) the confined size of the heel pad.

Furthermore, the process associated with the aforementioned invention is likewise unique and different from known processes and solutions. More specifically, the present invention process owes its uniqueness to the fact that: (1) its shock absorbing material is thin enough that it cannot be felt on the feet by the user as well as be placed underneath the original insole, helping lessen the impact and shock more efficiently while avoiding the failures of other solutions that demand that user to directly engage a foreign replacement insert; and (2) the front edge of the apparatus is placed in between the calcaneus or the heel bone and the tuberosity of the fifth metatarsals to lessen the foreignness of the insole.

In one aspect of the present invention, a heel pad includes the following: a viscoelastic polymer having a semioval shape of a uniform thickness, wherein the viscoelastic polymer has adhesive properties, wherein the semioval shape is defined by a leading edge and a curved trailing edge, wherein the semioval shape is dimensioned and adapted so that the leading edge is adjacent and between a calcaneus or a heel bone and a tuberosity of a fifth metatarsals of a user when a rear portion of a heel of the user is adjacent the trailing edge, and wherein the uniform thickness is between 0.06 inches and 0.1 inches.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of supporting a heel of a user wearing a shoe, the method includes the following: providing a viscoelastic polymer having a semioval shape of a uniform thickness, wherein the viscoelastic polymer has adhesive properties, wherein the semioval shape is defined by a leading edge and a curved trailing edge, wherein the semioval shape is dimensioned and adapted so that the leading edge is adjacent and between a calcaneus or a heel bone and a tuberosity of a fifth metatarsals of a user when a rear portion of a heel of the user is adjacent the curved trailing edge; removing an insole of the shoe; adhering said viscoelastic polymer to an underside of the insole so that the trailing edge is adjacent a rear-most portion of the insole; and adhering the viscoelastic polymer to the shoe where the rear-most portion of the insole.

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read in conjunction with both this summary, the detailed description and any preferred and/or particular embodiments specifically discussed or otherwise disclosed. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Although the present invention is briefly summarized, the fuller understanding of the invention can be obtained by the following drawings, detailed description and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the leading edge 20 on the shock absorbing material that ends in between the calcaneus or the heel bone and the tuberosity of the fifth metatarsals;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 4, the present invention may include a heel pad 100 made of shock absorbing viscoelastic polymeric material 10 having a solid U-shape or semioval shape so that the leading edge 20 is adjacent to the mid sole of the shoe under the original top layer insole, while the trailing edge is adjacent the rear area of the shoe. The semioval shape may be planar with a unitform thickness. Accordingly, the specifications and the size of the heel pad differs between shoe or feet sizes.

The viscoelastic polymeric material length starts from the rear end of the inside of the shoe, adjacent with trailing edge 25, and extends to the leading edge 20 adjacent between the calcaneus or the heel bone and the tuberosity of the fifth metatarsals. The length will be different size according to the user's foot size.

The shock absorbing pad will compress and bulge when the user steps on the pad with their heels. The compression prevents the body weight shifting forward to the ball of the foot which causes discomfort and instability in the feet and leg joints. The shock absorbing material 10 is all viscoelastic polymer material 10 adapted to prevent change in hardness and feel.

The shock absorbing material 10 is sticky on all sides allowing the original insole and the shoes midsole to stick on the heel pad 100 preventing movement and slippage of the insoles when the user is moving abruptly.

A method of using the present invention may include the following. The heel pad 100 disclosed above may be provided. A method of supporting a heel of a user wearing a shoe, the method includes the following: providing a viscoelastic polymer 10 having a semioval shape of a uniform thickness, wherein the viscoelastic polymer has adhesive properties, wherein the semioval shape is defined by a leading edge and a curved trailing edge 25, wherein the semioval shape is dimensioned and adapted so that the leading edge 20 is adjacent and between a calcaneus or a heel bone and a tuberosity of a fifth metatarsals of a user when a rear portion of a heel of the user is adjacent the curved trailing edge; removing the original insole 50 of the shoe; adhering said viscoelastic polymer to an underside of the insole 50 so that the trailing edge 25 is adjacent a rear-most portion of the insole 50; and adhering the viscoelastic polymer to the shoe where the rear-most portion of the insole 50.

While the present invention has been described above in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure and the appended claims. It is indeed intended that the scope of the invention should be determined by proper interpretation and construction of the appended claims and their legal equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the disclosure in this specification and the attached drawings.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A heel pad comprising: a viscoelastic polymer having a semioval shape of a uniform thickness, wherein the viscoelastic polymer has adhesive properties.
 2. The heel pad of claim 1, wherein the semioval shape is defined by a leading edge and a curved trailing edge.
 3. The heel pad of claim 2, wherein the semioval shape is dimensioned and adapted so that the leading edge is adjacent and between a calcaneus or a heel bone and a tuberosity of a fifth metatarsals of a user when a rear portion of a heel of the user is adjacent the trailing edge.
 4. The heel pad of claim 1, wherein the uniform thickness is between 0.06 inches and 0.1 inches.
 5. A method of supporting a heel of a user wearing a shoe, the method comprising: providing a viscoelastic polymer having a semioval shape of a uniform thickness, wherein the viscoelastic polymer has adhesive properties, wherein the semioval shape is defined by a leading edge and a curved trailing edge, wherein the semioval shape is dimensioned and adapted so that the leading edge is adjacent and between a calcaneus or a heel bone and a tuberosity of a fifth metatarsals of a user when a rear portion of a heel of the user is adjacent the curved trailing edge; removing an insole of the shoe; adhering said viscoelastic polymer to an underside of the insole so that the trailing edge is adjacent a rear-most portion of the insole; and adhering the viscoelastic polymer to the shoe where the rear-most portion of the insole. 